Are You Dating Up or Down?

Who's hotter — Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie? Tough call, as this powerhouse Hollywood couple never fails to radiate pure sex appeal. But, according to Angie, the daddy of her six children is the better-looking one in the relationship. The bombshell actress was overheard telling Brad "you're prettier than me" at a 2012 Golden Globes afterparty.

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\nMaybe she was being coy or maybe she prides herself on having a partner who is hot as all hell. Regardless, her compliment to Brad got our wheels turning — what role do looks play in a relationship? We had an expert weigh in on what it means to date up (you think your guy is hotter) and date down (you think you're hotter than your guy) and how it can affect your outlook on love.

Dating Up

Maybe your guy is a dead-ringer for Ryan Gosling and you feel more like Ellen Page next to him. Sweating over his hottie status is very common. We all play the rating game in our heads. "It makes us feel more secure and less afraid of losing someone we love," says relationship expert Harlan Cohen, author of Naked Dating. Here's what you need to know...

The Pro: If your man's a total babe, pat yourself on the back. And while you're swooning over how hot he is, remember, you landed him, buff bod and all. "Dating better looking people can actually be a plus," says Cohen. "It helps you work harder to keep yourself looking your best. And it keeps you interested and working it in the bedroom." So he's hotter than you, big deal. He's choosing to be with you, and it's important to trust his decision.

The Con: When your bf's handsome exterior starts to affect your self-esteem and makes you question your own positive attributes, you risk turning into a jealous girlfriend who starts fights every time a girl glances in his direction (or vice versa). What to do? If you feel like you will never be able to keep him because his looks are so superior to yours and it's making your self-confidence plummet, then it's time to move on, advises Cohen. But first try talking to him. If he's a keeper, he will know just what to say to make you secure with yourself and relationship.

Dating Down

If you equate yourself with Gisele Bundchen and are bummed that your guy isn't on Tom Brady's level of perfection, you might fall into this category. Enter, the pro and con of trumping your dude in the looks department.

The Pro: There may be some truth behind the cliché — a woman falls in love first and then becomes attracted to her man. Just because your temp is higher than his on the hotness scale, doesn't mean he isn't the right match for you. "There's good looking and then there's attractive," says Cohen. "A boyfriend can be not so good looking and still be incredibly hot. If he gets you hot — that's hot." So if you two are connecting in and out of the bedroom, have some faith. An emotional connection should help transcend doubts you have about his physical appearance. It's important to have an open mind, and not worry about what other people think of his looks.

The Con: If you feel like you are settling and his level of attractiveness is hindering a lasting connection between you, it may be time to move on. "If a girl has to convince herself that she's dating the right person, it's always the wrong person," explains Cohen. If you are consumed by the fact that he doesn't meet your 'hot dude' standards, it will put a strain on your relationship and hinder you from progressing forward. You don't want to keep dating him, just because you are desperate to be with someone.